Studding



E. O. FlNK STUDDING April 3, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1958 INVENTOR Ernesi O. Fink E. O. FINK April 3, 1962 STUDDING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1958 INVENTOR Ernest 0. Fink iat/7w E. O. FlNK April 3, 1962 STUDDING 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 15, 1958 INVENTOR Ernest O. Fink I W United States Patent Gfitice 3,027,983 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 3,027,983 STUDDING Ernest 0. Fink, Wheeling, W. Va., assignor to Wheeling Steel Corporation, Wheeling, W. Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 13, 1958, Ser. No. 734,937 6 Claims. (Cl. I8934) This invention relates to studding and more particularly to improved studding clips and studding structures embodying runners, studs and clips cooperating in novel manner.

It is standard in the erection of studding to position runners against the ceiling and floor and dispose studs between the upper and lower runners. Runners of various shapes have been employed and devices of various kinds for positioning the studs relatively to the runners and fastening the same thereto have been proposed. It has also been proposed to utilize studs of less dimension than the runners crosswise of the runners and to stagger such studs alternately at opposite sides of the runners, but no satisfactory means for positioning the narrower studs relatively to the wider runners and fastening the studs in place relatively to the runners have been provided.

I provide studding in which studs are positioned relatively to and fastened in place in runners in a novel and extremely simple and inexpensive manner by the use of clips. The clips may be of various forms, two presently preferred forms of clip being shown in the drawings. My studding may comprise a generally horizontal runner having a length substantially greater than its width, a generally vertical stud having one of its ends disposed cross wise of the runner and a clip interfitting with the runner and stud whereby the stud is connected with the runner to be at least partially supported thereby. The elements of my studdingrunners, studs and clipsmay be made of any suitable material. For purposes of explanation and illustration they will be considered as being made of suitably formed sheet metal.

My invention has especial utility when at least the end of the stud-the portion of the stud which cooperates with the runneris of less dimension than the runner crosswise of the runner, or, in other words, when a stud is used which at least at its end is narrower than the runner, bearing in mind that the stud is always positioned crosswise of the runner. The studs shown in the drawings are of uniform width, i.e., of uniform dimension crosswise of the runner, but my invention is equally applicable to studs which may be of increased width intermediate their ends.

In a preferred form my studding comprises a generally horizontal runner having a length substantially greater than its width and having flange means at its longitudinal- 1y extending edges, agenerally vertical stud having one of its ends disposed crosswise of the runner between opposed flange means of the runner and a clip interfitting with the runner and stud whereby the stud is connected with the runner to be at least partially supported thereby.

The flange means at at least one edge of the runner are preferably formed to provide a pocket for receiving an edge of the stud and the stud is preferably disposed with one of its ends crosswise of the runner between opposed flange means of the runner with an edge in the pocket. The clip preferably engages the stud and also engages the flange means opposite the pocket whereby the stud is connected with the runner to be at least partially supported thereby.

I provide a studding clip comprising a body, opposed flanges adjacent one end of the body forming a pocket for receiving a portion of a stud and projection means at the opposite end of the body adapted to engage a runner flange, the center line of the projection means being coplanar with the center line of the pocket. The clip preferably comprises an elongated body and the opposed flanges adjacent one end of the body forming the pocket may face toward that end of the body or laterally of the body. Means may be provided at the opposite end of the body including a shoulder adapted to engage a runner flange and a tab adapted to enter an opening in the runner flange. When the pocket faces laterally of the body means may be provided which are disposed generally between the opposite flanges of the clip for engaging flanges of the stud to aid in positioning the clip relatively to the stud, and projection means may be provided at the opposite end of the body adapted to engage a runner flange.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferred embodiments of the invention in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of studding incorporating my invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view through the studding shown in FIGURE 1 taken on the line 'II-II of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line III"III of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4- is a fragmentary elevational view of the structure shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 viewed from the left-hand side of FIGURE 2 and from the front of FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the form of clip shown in the left-hand portion of FIGURE 1 and shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view through the studding shown in FIGURE 1 taken on the line VI-VI of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line VIIVII of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of the structure shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 viewed from the left-hand side of FIGURE 6 and from the front of FIG- URE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the form of clip shown in the right-hand portion of FIGURE 1 and shown in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, FIG- URE 1 shows a ceiling runner 2, a floor runner 3, a series of studs 4 and clips of two forms, one form of clip being designated 5 and the other form of clip being designated 6. The runners 2 and 3 are identical, each having a length substantially greater than its width, as shown in FIGURE 1, and are fastened in place in parallel relationship with the ceiling runner directly above the floor runner. The positioning and fastening in place of the ceiling and floor runners are familiar to all those skill-ed in the art.

Each of the runners 2 and 3 has a body 7 which may be generally planar and opposed flanges 8 at its longitudinally extending edges, the flanges preferably being substantially perpendicular to the body. In the form shown each of the flanges 8 is formed to provide a series of spaced apart pockets 9 clearly shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 for receiving the edges of studs. Each flange 8 has at its extremity remote from the body 7 an inwardly formed rib It), the rib being interrupted at spaced intervals along the runner to provide the pockets 9. Directly underneath each pocket 9 each flange 8 is provided with an elongated opening 11 for a purpose presently to be described.

As shown in FIGURE 1 the studs 4 are disposed transversely of the runners with the upper end of each stud disposed between the flanges 8 of the ceiling runner 2 and the lower end between the flanges 8 of the floor runner 3. Each stud may be fastened to the ceiling runher and to the floor runner in the same manner, so I shall describe and specifically illustrate only the positioning and fastening of studs to the floor runner.

As shown in FIGURE 1 the studs are narrower than the runners, i.e., when the end of a stud is positioned between the flanges of a runner there is a transverse space between the stud and the runner which is not occupied by the stud. The studs shown in FIGURE 1 are arranged in staggered relationship, i.e., the odd numbered studs counting from left to right viewing FIGURE 1 are disposed against the nearer flange 8 of the floor runner 3 and the even numbered studs are disposed against the more remote flange 8 of the floor runner 3. An edge portion of each stud near its end is disposed in one of the pockets 9 of the flange 8 against which the stud lies. See FIGURES 3 and 7. The studs are positioned and fastened in place relatively to the runner by clips of two forms as above mentioned, the clips being interchangeable so that either form may be used as desired.

The form of clip designated is shown in connection with the three left-hand studs in FIGURE 1 and also in FIGURES 25. It comprises a body 12 elongated in a direction which will be the direction transversely of the runner when the clip is applied, opposed flanges 13 adjacent one end of the body forming a pocket 14 for receiving an edge portion of a stud and a projection 15 at the opposite end of the body adapted to engage a runner flange, the center line of the projection 15 being coplanar with the center line of the pocket 14. In applying the clip 5 one edge of the stud 4 is first positioned in one of the pockets 9 of one of the flanges 8 of the runner and the opposite edge of the stud is received within the pocket 14 of the clip. The projection 15 of the clip includes a shoulder 16 which engages the flange of the runner opposite the flange engaged by the stud and a tab 17 which enters one of the openings 11 opposite the pocket 9 in which the stud is engaged. The length of the clip 5 is such that the clip fits tightly between the flange 8 against which the shoulder 16 lies and the edge of the stud which is disposed in the pocket 14 of the clip as shown in the drawings. Thus the clip is very easy to apply and no special tools or other equipment are needed to apply it. It is easily formed out of a small piece of sheet metal and the overall cost of producing the clip and erecting the Studding by its use is unprecedentedly low.

The clip 6 is an alternative form which may be used in place of the clip 5. It is shown in connection with the three right-hand studs in FIGURE 1 and also in FIG- URES 69. It comprises a body 18 elongated in a direction which will be the direction transversely of the runner when the clip is applied, opposed flanges 19 adjacent one end of the body forming a pocket 20 for receiving an end portion of a stud and a projection 21 at the opposite end of the body adapted to engage a runner flange, the center line of the projection 21 being coplanar with the center line of the pocket 20. Upwardly projecting tongues 22 are disposed in generally parallel relationship with their planes extending transversely of the clip between the opposed flanges 19 of the clip for engaging flanges of. the stud to aid in positioning the clip relatively to the stud. The projection 21 is curved at its outer end and also reduced in width so that it will be received within one of the pockets 9.

The bottom of the stud is inserted into the pocket 20 with the flanges of the stud outside the respective tongues 22 whereby the clip 6 and the stud are relatively positioned. Insertion of the bottom of the stud into the pocket 20 may slightly spring outwardly the upper portions of the flanges 19 as the flanges may be formed to be inclined slightry inwardly and may have slightly outwardly turned strips 19' at their extremities to facilitate insertion of the bottom of the stud into the pocket 20. The stud with the clip thus positioned upon its end is put in place with the edge of the stud remote from the projection 21 of the clip disposed in one of the pockets 9 of the runner, the clip being disposed below the level of the pocket with its bottom flush against the body 3 of the runner. The extremity of the projection 21 is engaged in the pocket h opposite the pocket in which an edge portion of the stud is received as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.

Each form of clip positions and aids in supporting the stud in the runner. The same form of clip may be used at the top and bottom of a stud or one form of clip may be used at the top and the other atthe bottom, whichever is found more convenient. It may be easier to apply one of the clips 6 to the top of the stud and position the top of the stud with that clip applied thereto relatively to the ceiling runner and then use one of the clips 5 to effect the positioning and supporting of the stud relatively to the floor runner.

While I have shown and described certain present preferred embodiments of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Studding comprising a generally horizontal runner having a length substantially greater than its width, a generally vertical stud having one of its ends disposed crosswise of the runner and a clip disposed generally within the runner interfitting with the runner and stud whereby the stud is connected with the runner to be at least partially supported thereby, the clip having opposed upstanding portions spaced apart in the direction of the length of the runner embracing between them at least a portion of the stud.

2. Studding comprising a generally horizontal runner having a length substantially greater than its width, a generally vertical stud having one of its ends disposed crosswise of the runner but of less dimension than the runner crosswise of the runner and a clip interfitting with the runner and stud whereby the stud is connected with the runner to be at least partially supported thereby, the clip having a pocket formed of opposed generally vertically extending portions spaced apart in the direction of the length of the runner receiving at least a portion of the stud, the pocket being disposed at least partially within the runner.

3. Studding comprising a generally horizontal runner having a length substantially greater than its width and having flange means at its longitudinally extending edges, a generally vertical stud having one of its ends disposed crosswise of the runner between opposed flange means of the runner and a clip interfitting with the runner and stud whereby the stud is connected with the runner to be at least partially supported thereby, the clip having a pocket of substantially channel shape in horizontal cross section with the axis of the channel extending generally vertically receiving an edge portion of the stud.

4. Studding comprising a generally horizontal runner having a length substantially greater than its width and having flange means at its longitudinally extending edges, the flange means at at least one edge being formed to provide a pocket for receiving an edge of a stud, a generally vertical stud having one of its ends disposed crosswise of the runner between opposed flange means of the runner with an edge in the pocket, said end of the stud having a dimension crosswise of the runner less than the corresponding dimension of the runner, and -a clip interfitting with the runner and stud whereby the stud is connected with the runner to be at least partially supported thereby.

5. Studding comprising a generally horizontal runner having a length substantially greater than its width and having flange means at its longitudinally extending edges, the flange means at at least one edge being formed to provide a pocket for receiving an edge of a stud, a gen erally vertical stud having one of its ends disposed crosswise of the runner between opposed flange means of the runner with an edge in the pocket, said end of the stud having a dimension crosswise of the runner less than the corresponding dimensions of the runner, and a clip engaging the stud and also engaging the flange means opposite the pocket whereby the stud is connected with the runner to be at least partially supported thereby.

6. Studding comprising a generally horizontal runner having a length substantially greater than its width and having generally vertically extending flange means at its longitudinally extending edges, a generally vertical stud having one of its ends disposed crosswise of the runner between opposed flange means of the runner but of less dimension than the runner crosswise of the runner, the stud being disposed against the generally vertically extending flange means at one edge of the runner through- 6 out the vertical extent of said flange means, and a clip engaging the stud and also engaging the flange means at the opposite edge of the runner whereby the stud is connected with the runner to be at least partially supported thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,037,594 Cook Sept. 13, 1912 1,097,934 Price May 26, 1914 1,801,668 Henderson Apr. 21, 1931 1,818,404 Kaufman Aug. 11, 1931 2,088,781 Folsom Aug. 3, 1937 2,257,712 Crandell et al Sept. 30, 1941 2,329,542 La Grotta Sept. 14, 1943 2,529,826 Walker Nov. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,027,983 April 3, 1962 Ernest O. Fink It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line l0 for "opposite" read opposed column 5, l1ne 5, for "dimensions" read dimension Signed and sealed this 31st day of July 1962,

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

